The Sociopragmatics of Preaching in an American Christian Sermon Mubarak Ahmed Sahib1,*, Rahi Hawraa Jabbar2,3 1Prof., Department of English, College of Education for Human Sciences, University of Babylon 2Department of English, College of Education for Human Sciences, University of Babylon 51002 3Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Babel, Iraq *Corresponding Author: Dr. Ahmed Sahib Mubarak Prof., Department of English, College of Education for Human Sciences, University of Babylon 51002 Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Babel, Iraq
Online published on 21 February, 2019. Abstract Studies on preaching have identified it as a communicative process through which preachers reflect their social position. Extending the findings of those studies, this paper discusses how American preachers construct the preaching stages, tactics, and strategies in sermons. The researchers make this point by developing a sociopragmatic model of preaching which illustrates the effect of the social variables of power and solidarity on preaching. To do so, an American Christian sermon by Pastor Alberta is analysed. While Pastor Alberta uses the tactics of preaching felicitously, effectively, appropriately, and persuasively, it is demonstrated that such use is affected by the social variables of power and solidarity. The analysis shows that there are three preaching stages; viz., ‘opening’, ‘main’, and ‘concluding’ in which Pastor Alberta tends to use pragmatic strategies that echo power over the congregation. Quite the opposite, he utilises other strategies to create a sense of solidarity with the congregation. Top Keywords Sociopragmatics, Preaching, American Sermons, USA Elections 2016, Power, Solidarity. Top |